This park consists of 16 Victorian houses concentrated in downtown Oakland. Each of the homes, which are sometimes open for tours, dates back to between 1870 and 1910 (the latter are technically Edwardian, but the designs are still charming). Some areas of the Victorian park are also available for weddings, meetings, and private parties. Take in five different styles of architecture and beautifully landscaped gardens. In addition to a lovely walk along a scenic street, you will be enjoying a glimpse of what Oakland looked like in the old days. The park is free and open to the public.
The Paramount Theatre is the home of the Oakland Ballet and the Oakland East Bay Symphony. It is the area's foremost facility for performing arts and is known for its grand music concerts, variety shows and movies. Constructed in the post-Depression period of 1931, the Paramount Theatre is best remembered for fusing various disciplines of arts together into a harmonious whole. The Paramount frequently screens old movie classics complete with intermission with bar service.
That huge, modern glass tower perched on the edge of Lake Merritt is actually the Cathedral of Christ the Light, although it is sometimes known simply as the Oakland Cathedral. This Roman Catholic Cathedral was actually the first built in the 21st Century as a replacement for the Cathedral of Saint Frances de Sales, which was damaged beyond repair in the 1989 earthquake. Among the regular attributes, the Cathedral includes a health services center providing help to those without insurance, a mausoleum for the bishops of Oakland, a cafe, a bookstore and a public garden. The Cathedral often hosts classical and religious concerts and concert series that are free to the public.
This is a Port of Oakland attraction named after the famous author and Oakland native. The charming waterfront property is filled with numerous entertainment options and quality dining and shopping establishments. Some of the highlights include awesome views, strolls on the boardwalk, amazing restaurants, and the famous Yoshi's Jazz House. You may enjoy the selection of numerous great boutiques plus a movie theater, ferry cruises, and special events like a Farmer's Market every Sunday and an antiques and collectibles show the first Saturday of every month.
This shallow, 195-acre (7,89,137 meter) lake is considered by many to be the heart of Oakland. Once an arm of the San Francisco Bay, it actually served as a sewer for a time before Samuel Merritt proposed a dam in order to clean up the lake and have it become the focal point for civic pride and recreation that it is today. As the lake was also a common place to see many migratory birds and ducks, the lake was turned into the first wildlife refuge in North America in 1870. In 1925, the lake's "necklace of lights" was installed, and still stands today making the lake beautiful during day or night. The lake provides many recreational opportunities, including boating, playgrounds, picnic areas and the legendary Children's Fairyland storybook park.
The Mountain View Cemetery is a large cemetery in Oakland, California. It was established in 1863 by a group of East Bay Pioneers under the California Rural Cemetery Act of 1859. The association they formed still operates the cemetery today. Mountain View was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the landscape architect who also designed New York City's Central Park and much of Stanford University. Many of California's important historical figures, drawn by Olmsted's reputation, are buried here and there are many grandiose crypts in tribute to the wealthy who are buried there, so many that one section is known as "Millionaires' Row." Because of this, and its beautiful setting, the cemetery is a tourist draw and docents lead bi-monthly tours. Panoramic views of the entire Bay Area greet you among lush green hills spotted with Eucalyptus and Oak trees. Come here and watch the sunset (or the fog roll in) from an unparalleled vantage point, perched in the magnificent East Bay hills.
Listen to the whoosh of the winds as they caress the pine trees that overlook Montclair Village. An ideal tourist haunt, Montclair radiates a village-like charm with its small town, mountainous atmosphere. Breathe in the fresh air, take a long walk through the village streets or sample the fare at one of the eateries. Quaint stores dot the streets and tempt you into splurging on delightful trinkets. Rich in cultural heritage, you will be witness to a plethora of art events and festivities lined up on the local itinerary. The Fine Arts Sidewalk Festival held every year in Montclair Village is a extravaganza to behold. Stroll along and take in the lovely paintings, hand-blown glass work, sculptures, photography, jewelry, ceramics and collages.
People of all religious beliefs have been known to visit here because of its magnificent views and lovely architecture. This LDS temple is one of the most beautiful churches in the San Francisco Bay Area. The 82,417 square-foot, 170 foot-tall temple was built in the early 1960s and can be seen from many scenic points across the Bay Area. The temple features a visitor's center that offers exhibits and interactive presentations on religious topics. It also features a family history center that offers geneaology services and over 21 million microfilms available. The temple remains open to the public Tuesday through Saturday.
The Oakland Zoo is home to more than 440 exotic and domestic birds, mammals, marsupials, and reptiles. Some of its attractions include a park with picnic facilities, an educational wildlife theater, a children's petting zoo, a carousel, a chair lift ride, and a miniature train. The zoo also offers group tours and a lecture series for adults in the spring.
This beautiful mansion built in 1899 is an outstanding example of the neo-classical revival style significant enough to have been designated as a National Historic Site by the United States Department of the Interior. The 37-room estate features a Tiffany-style dome, ten fireplaces and lovely parquet floors in its 16,224 square-feet. During the winter holiday season, the house features magnificent decorations and hosts a number of special festive events.